Jann Medlicott Creative Arts Award

Awarded on behalf of the Acorn Foundation

This scholarship has been set up to enable a young creative to undertake further study in the creative arts.

This annual award valued at $2,000 is for someone undertaking or about to commence further study in preparation for a career in the creative arts. Managed by the Creative Bay of Plenty on behalf of the Acorn Foundation, applications open 1 July and close 31 August 2018.

Acorn Foundation is a charitable trust operating in Tauranga, New Zealand. It was established in 2003, to encourage people to consider leaving a gift in their will to benefit the western Bay of Plenty community forever. People can also make gifts during their lifetime to build up their fund and maximise the tax rebates now available.

Previous winners

2017 Winner - Lockie Bennet High School: Otumoetai College

Current Education: Victoria University Bachelor of Music - Jazz Performance

"First year has been an absolute blast so far. I’ve met loads of cool people and been involved in multiple different groups playing music. I’ve also learnt so much and have loved watching myself grow as a musician in such a small amount of time so far.

My highlights for this year is my recitals - one of which is happening this week during the mid-year testing period as well as the end of year recital. I’m also looking forward to playing with the groups I’m involved in a public arena. There is word of a gig coming up with the guitar ensemble I’m involved in so that will be an awesome time.

The Jan Medlicott Award has helped me so much financially. It’s helped enormously decreasing my student loan and the amount of money I need to pay back. On top of this, the award also helped a lot in the preparation for uni, making the fees sounds less daunting.

I would say to applicants that they should certainly do what they do best. Like anything, do what you love and be yourself. Winning this award in 2017 was a total surprise to me but I believe I won it because I stayed true to what I wanted to play and the image I wanted to convey as a musician. Music is about self-expression. Without this aspect there is no such thing as music." - Lockie Bennet

2015 Winner: Courtney Gilbert

High School: Mount Maunganui College

Current Education: Massey University, Wellington, New ZealandCreative Media Production

"I am involved with the arts in film production and will be graduating my degree at the end of this year. I am proud to tell you that I am doing very well for myself and currently working with client supervision from TVNZ for my final year. I had the opportunity to pitch my tv series concept to TVNZ at the beginning of the semester which amazingly got greenlit for commission.

I am currently directing, producing, scripting, art directing and animating a 3D animated children's tv series with my talented crew.

I am the youngest of my team, the only female out of six and I’m leading the project - so I am representing a minority of the film industry currently, and in doing so am doing well to create a respectable industry reputation for myself.

Thank you again for your generosity towards my progression in the arts."